Michael O’Reilly Award
Good writing is rare so good writers deserve recognition. The ADCC’s yearly copywriting award is named for Michael O’Reilly, one of the best we’ve known.
Michael graduated from Sheridan’s advertising program and began his career as an artistic director. Quickly though, his enthusiasm and talent for words coaxed him to become a full-time copywriter. Whether funny, factual, or emotionally moving, Michael’s work was always conceptually fresh and lovingly written. Michael was opinionated and critical, but dedicated, witty, and generous.
He was a student of the industry in a way that few are—he’d read every last bit of copy, everywhere, and he always made time to challenge and support young writers.
In 1999 Michael died of cystic fibrosis. The very next year we created the Michael O’Reilly Copywriting Award in honour of the talent, dedication, and generosity he brought to this profession. Having had only fourteen years in the business he’d won hundreds of awards from around the world and inspired countless friends and colleagues.
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for The Advertising and Sales Club of Hamilton
1996
Michael’s work for Cystic Fibrosis
1995
Michael’s work for McDonald’s
1994
Michael’s work for Prince Edward Island Tourism
1993
Michael’s work for Metropolitan Toronto Ambulance Service
1993
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for The Advertising and Sales Club of Hamilton
1996
Michael’s work for Cystic Fibrosis
1995
Michael’s work for McDonald’s
1994
Michael’s work for Prince Edward Island Tourism
1993
Michael’s work for Metropolitan Toronto Ambulance Service
1993
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Michael’s work for The Advertising and Sales Club of Hamilton
1996
Michael’s work for Cystic Fibrosis
1995
Michael’s work for McDonald’s
1994
Michael’s work for Prince Edward Island Tourism
1993
Michael’s work for Metropolitan Toronto Ambulance Service
1993
Michael’s work for Vince the Mover
1996
Recent Winners
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2023 / Gold Derek Silveira Apple: The Hunt
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2023 / Silver Hailey Ireland Missing Matoaka
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2023 / Bronze Sarah Rutherford, Alene Shahnazarian, Andrew Niemira House of Legends
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2023 / Bronze David Mueller, Sam Ramsay Others
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2023 / Bronze Jake Hulsebosch HRB 2023 Radio Campaign
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2023 / Bronze Hailey Ireland Missing Matoaka
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2022 / Silver Jenny Glover Nissan Wonderful Humans
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2022 / Bronze Jill Mack, Lynn Sparrow The Donated Commercial
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2022 / Bronze Hemal Dhanjee, Tobi Adebowale, Jasmine Mans A Hymn Away From Home
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2022 / Bronze John Pavacic, David Mueller Day After Day
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2022 / Bronze Sophia Wilby, Nate Houseley RECEATS
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2022 / Bronze Alexis Caron-Côté The End of Beer Puns
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2021 / Gold Jenny Glover, Neil Walker-Wells, Tom Mednick New York Fries Big Days
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2021 / Gold Robbie Percy Haulin' State of Mind
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2021 / Silver Alex Bird Get an Original Track
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2021 / Silver Nick Asik, Christina Roche Unquarantine Your Creative
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2021 / Bronze Jackson Byrne Jalapeno Noir
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2021 / Bronze Jonah Flynn Subaru Goat Brochure
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2021 / Bronze Jon Manning Love Alberta Forests
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2021 / Bronze Phil Copithorne, John Eresman The Never Ending Day
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